Also present was Dan Marthaler, a licensed building official, Joel Dasher and Acting City Clerk Joe Heinen.
With Marthaler on hand, he was asked to provide the group with a brief background on his history of inspecting buildings under construction and he stated that after starting his career by working as a contractor for Sauk Centre, he now is working for Albany, Melrose, Osakis and Glenwood. He expressed concern that the Freeport City Code may have to be updated in order to spell out certain zoning provisions requiring permits but he was quickly corrected by Heinen who pointed the appropriate section in the code that covered when permits were needed and what the violations entailed. He also stated that if he were to enter into a contract with Freeport, he would insist upon the support of the full council and not allow for any nepotism or favoritism when permits might be set aside. The members assured him that relatives would not receive any breaks from this group but Atkinson pointed out that elections are several months away and a changeover in elected officials might bring different results.
A handout packet prepared by the clerk was given to all so that sample inspector contracts, building and zoning permit forms and general public information sheets dealing with when permits are required. Several questions and answers were fielded by Marthaler and before leaving, he indicated that he would prepare a draft contract for services, along with some sample forms, and have them back in the hands of the clerk before the April 9th council meeting.
After receiving prior approval to have the issue placed on this agenda, Joel Dasher addressed the council on his 6 month performance review. Materials available for the council to study included a performance review completed by departed clerk Anton Massman and signed by both he and Dasher in early November of 2001, copies of both the 2001 and 2002 grade/step wage grid and reference data from the State Job Match system that assumed the title of maintenance worker at a 185 point level. Dasher then spoke of his duties and responsibilities and handed out a list of what he felt was crucial.
The mayor expressed a desire to be a part of the review process including the completion of the forms used by Massman and he left open the option that would allow other council members to complete a rating on Dasher as well. Most agreed that this would be prudent to do prior to the annual review. With that, Thelen offered a motion to increase the wages by 2% for Dasher, effective at his 6 month probationary ending term, and place him on permanent full-time employee status, with consideration to increase his wages on his anniversary date by moving him to the next step(8). Boelter seconded the motion and by a unanimous vote, the motion passed, 5-0.
Dasher then addressed the group on the weekend problems encountered at the sewer lift station when a pump malfunctioned. After speaking to the mayor, they were both in favor of having on hand an additional pump to prevent more critical damage or backup.
Dasher stated that the pump is now operational and the cause of the problem may well have been in the electrical control panel. He also passed out quotation summaries from two firms and based on the costs, Quality Flow Systems was the low bidder. After reviewing the optional pumps and phone alarm systems, a motion was made by Thelen, s/Atkinson, to purchase a new pump for $2,411.00 and the optional phone system for a cost of $1,365.00. The motion carried by a 5-0 voice vote.
Both the mayor and the clerk commented on the previous evening's visit with the Oak Township Board, when the annexation and platting of the Middendorf property was studied. Using a color-coded map, the clerk had explained to the board the various boundaries and presented the board with a draft joint resolution for annexation. One item of concern by both the board and the city delegation was the need to correct the routing of the annexation lines to shift further south to pick up the entire township road and come to an agreement of road maintenance in this area. The board was asked to review the resolution and offer comments before the April 9th meeting if possible, so that a formal revised document could be signed by both governmental units.
The status of the remaining lots available in Welle's Country Acres was not resolved at this time since member Thelen did not speak to the Chad Funk's and the clerk responded by stating that he would visit with the city attorney to try to clear up the matter, so that Hennen Lumber Company would know if another lot was available for purchasing from the city.
The clerk provided a report on the current year cost of snow removal, using Kemper Trucking, and the fact that this firm encountered some truck wing damage last fall.
Since the city had not resolved the payment to NSP or Xcel Energy and Kemper had now acknowledged damaging the pole in question, it was the consensus of all to try to come to some conclusion as soon as possible. As a result, it was agreed that the clerk contact Kemper and obtain from him a statement of damages to his truck before next Tuesday's meeting if possible.
A zoning permit application, submitted by Robert Golla, was studied by the council for approval purposes. It was noted that the request included the erection of 8x10 storage shed but the site plan did not include any setback description. Heidgerken moved to approve the permit and impose the $20 fee, provided that the applicant can meet setback requirements following the clerk's investigation. Atkinson seconded the motion and all voted in the affirmative.
Before adjourning, Atkinson asked that the members consider naming the pending preliminary plat known as "Uhlenkolts Lake" rather than the "City of Freeport Industrial Park" plat as it is now known, or use the nearby lake as a possible title for the plat or road.
Since the hearing on the plat is set for April 30th, it was still possible to re-name this plat prior to the approval date and some members agreed to think the matter over.
With no further business to come before the group, the meeting was declared adjourned at 9:15 P.M. by unanimous consent.
